Saturday, November 3, 2018

Boracay’s outcome calls for Baguio, Tagaytay rehab proposal

Boracay’s rehabilitation success prompted the demand to rehabilitate both Baguio and Tagaytay Cities back to its clean, old glory days when Pinoys favored the 2 classic tourist spots during the onset of hot and humid climate.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters sees the need to mend both cities even at a gradual pace by mitigating the alarming increase of building structures in both areas.

According to an earlier commentary by the Daily Tribune, everything in Baguio alone was quaint, majestic and unwinding as seen in its livable pension houses and cozy restaurants, on top of the cool, balmy mountain air and the unique, natural scent of pine trees that could hardly be ignored.

Although water supply became a problem, enterprising businessmen managed to resolve the issue and made ample amount of supply for everyone most of the time.

Photo from aol.com

“Baguio today is an old shadow of its original self. Although the climate in the city remains cool from December to February, it is actually warm during the other months, especially during summer. Many establishments along Session Road have air-conditioners today which was unthinkable in the 1980s,” the commentary wrote.

Vehicular traffic too, has become an ongoing problem in Baguio even with the existing number – coding scheme imposed on all private and public utility vehicles that ply constantly in its flyovers and main roads.

Modernization that led to Condominium projects popping out all over Baguio City have damaged what used to be a serene, continued view of the mountain ranges which are now covered with squatter colonies. Not to mention the landslides that continue to plague Kennon Road due to unforgiving deforestation.

These, all the more reasons why the City of Pines is the target for a major rehabilitation, next to Boracay.

Photo from rappler

Former Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Richard “Dick” Gordon confirmed to Senate reporters after attending a hearing of the proposed 2019 budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Gordon pointed out the “defects” or “shortcomings” and the good side of the tourism plans of the DOT when the agency’s current Secretary, Bernadette Fatima Romulo – Puyat defended the P3.329 Billion proposed 2019 Budget before the Senate committee.

Senator JV Ejercito also pointed out that Baguio is now cramped up with tourists that led to the temporary closure of Boracay, which could also be the same fate that Tagaytay City might face.

Tagaytay City distinguishes itself from Baguio by its fresh air, bananas, jack fruit, the picnic grove, and its closer proximity to the Nation’s Capital, Manila.

"To expect a complete overhaul of Baguio and Tagaytay in the same way as what happened in Boracay may be expecting the impossible because the Boracay tourist zone is smaller than Baguio or Tagaytay. Nonetheless, Baguio and Tagaytay are still worth saving, even gradually, by arresting the alarming increase in the building density in the area," the commentary wrote.

"If the Philippines loses Baguio and Tagaytay to urban decay and social apathy, it loses two big chunks of its heritage. Perhaps Baguio and Tagaytay may be nearly impossible to save, but with President Duterte’s political will and his success in Boracay, there is still hope for both cities," it added.

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